Avalanche Forecast

Sunday night: Clear, strong east ridgetop wind, alpine high temperature +3 C, freezing level 2800 m.

Monday: Sunny, light south wind, alpine high temperature +5 C, freezing level 2500 m. 

Tuesday: Sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high temperature +5 C, freezing level 2200 m. 

Wednesday: Mainly sunny, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperature +5 C, freezing level 2400 m. 

Numerous large to very large (size 2-3) natural and explosive-triggered wet loose and wet slab avalanches have been reported in the last few days across elevations. 

There have been reports of a couple natural cornice failure on northeast alpine slopes that have triggered very large (size 3) avalanches on slopes below. Glide avalanches have also been reported.

The snowpack has been undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with successive days of warm sunny weather. Strong solar radiation and warming will likely initiate wet loose avalanches as the snow loses cohesion. As the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, operators have reported larger wet slab avalanches. These avalanches are dense, destructive and can run far, reaching otherwise snow-free valley bottoms. Check out the Forecaster's Blog for information on how to manage these spring conditions. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Sun and warm temperatures will increase the chances of cornice failures, especially when temperatures remain above zero overnight.

The snowpack is overall strong and settled in most areas, however, sustained warming can increase the likelihood of large avalanches failing on deeply buried weak layers. This is most likely to occur on steep, rocky alpine slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

• Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
• Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.